Middle East

Free Syrian Army launches major operation in Afrin

Sunday 21/January/2018 - 12:11 PM

Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters launched a comprehensive operation against terrorists in Syria's Afrin on Sunday، a day after they entered the PYDPKK-occupied territory as part of Turkey's "Operation Olive Branch" Saturday.

FSA fighters backed by Turkish military started to move towards the northern Syrian city in the early hours.

"108 targets، which were used as shelters، hideouts and ammunition depots by terrorist organizations PKKKCKPYD-YPG and ISIL in seven areas، were destroyed by the air force،" the military said in a statement late Saturday.

The operation was being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law، UN Security Council’s decisions and self-defense rights under the UN charter، the military added.

The statement said the operation will also take sensitivity into account and no civilian or innocent person would be harmed. Anadolu Agency said

The PYDPKK is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terrorist group، which has been designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey، the U.S. and the EU.

Since the mid-1980s، the PKK has waged a wide-ranging terror campaign against the Turkish state in which an estimated 40،000 people have been killed.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYDPKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.

The Turkish cities of Kilis and Hatay across the Syrian border are within the firing range of the PYDPKK group from Afrin، which sits atop a hill. The terror group has also used Amanos Mountains to penetrate from Syria into Turkey.

The PYDPKK depends on Afrin to connect to the Mediterranean from northwestern Syria. The terrorist organization also threatens Idlib deescalation zone over Afrin. A quarter of Syria land and 65 percent of Turkey-Syria border is under occupation of the terrorist organization.